Parables.I would begin by asking you to compare Matt 5.v.1 with Matt 13 v 1. When Jesus teaches disciples, he teaches them on the mountain. They leave the crowds. When Jesus teaches the crowds, he uses the Hebrew art of Parables.It is important to understand the difference between a parable and an allegory. In the culture of Jesus, a parable was a very simple thing. It was taught outdoors, it related to what was going on behind the teacher and it had a punch line. Nothing else mattered. The details of the story are not important. Later, in the Greek culture, the details became part of the story. The Parable became an Allegory. We see this today in the longer version of the Gospel.

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER.This takes place outdoors. Behind Jesus there is a farmer sowing his crop. Not all of the seed will be part of the harvest. Some fell on good soil and produced a harvest.The punch line. If you want a harvest you must sow the seed. Not all of it will bear fruit. The only sure way to have a harvest is to sow the seed.This parable is of great comfort to parents. When they have disappointment in their children about the practice of the Faith, it is well for them to remember that their job is to sow the seed. The harvest is the Lord’s. A parent’s role is to continue to sow the seed. They can continue to do this all through the lives off their children. Not all of this works. But there will be a harvest, some thirtyfold, some fiftyfold, some one hundredfold.One sows, another reaps, one waters, one irrigates but God gives the increase.

Parables are simple and to the point. They are about the kingdom of God, the reign of God. We will see later how this refers to the Church.

Jesus had to deal with certain Pharisee leaders on a regular basis. He said they were “hard hearted” but maybe you and I need to consider whether we’re as “hard hearted” as those Pharisee leaders.

Some of us just don’t want to hear truth. Jesus called them “hard-hearted” in the long version of today’s gospel (Matt 13:1-23). But he also had a way to make them listen. If he spelt out clearly just how dumb and stupid they were, and how they were working against God’s plan by placing obstacles in the way of people’s spiritual journey, then they’d ignore him or possibly attack him. So instead he would tell stories. He had a special kind of story, called a Parable. It had a moral point to make, but did not attack anyone openly. Instead, one had to reflect on the story to find the underlying truth – as well as the identity of the real-life culprits being criticised (which just might be you and me).

For example, how do you tell the Pharisees that they are “hard-hearted” because they will neither listen to nor accept his teachings about the kingdom of God? Well, “There was a sower who went out to sow some seed…some fell on rocky ground…and it withered for lack of roots.” And later, Jesus explains his parable, saying in part, “The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of God without understanding it.” The Pharisees probably knew that he was talking about them; but there was nothing they could do about it, because it was all “hidden” within the parable; no direct accusations had been made, no names had been dropped. So, all they could do was burn and fume with anger.

Resistance to God’s call to change our ways is “hardness of heart.” A modern example would be resistance to the Church’s teachings on faith and morals (such as contraception, abortion and euthanasia,). Sometimes the seeds of the Church’s teachings just fall on rocky ground, or on the barren path of our hearts. The Evil One is very active today!

You and I are called to “sow” God’s word in our children, and to live out the values that Jesus “sowed” in us through his Church; but first we must open our hardened hearts and become true disciples by spreading the Good News- even it means telling stories to illustrate the points we’re trying to make.

About Our Lady of the Rosary

Since its inception in 1947 the parish has grown and today boasts one of the most beautiful and prayerful Churches in our Diocese. Substantially designed by Fr Reg Reynolds, the parish church caters for the permanent Catholic population as well as the many visitors who holiday here.